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Wednesday, February 27, 2013

A Narnia Winter

Over February vacation my daughter (pictured) and I drove two hours north to Sugarloaf Mountain.The peak was hidden in frozen mist. After one miserable day of white-outs, we abandoned downhill for cross-country skiing at the base. Away from the crowds and the chairlifts, it felt like steppingthrough the wardrobe into Narnia. The snow fell light and soft on empty trails.

The Sugarloaf Outdoor Center has 90 km of groomed Nordic trails with warming huts serving hot cocoa and tea. The base lodge has homemade soups, oven roasted turkey on fresh baked bread and apple brownies. Yep, skiing is all about the food.

I worked up an appetite trying to keep up with the 40th fastest girl skier in state division C.My daughter patiently halved her pace to my poky 8 km/hour and gave me helpful pointers. She'll make a fine captain of the Nordic Ski Team next year (announced last night!)

When we returned home, our driveway was hidden under a foot of fresh snow.

The trees were frosted white. I stood for a moment in awe of the familiar transformed.

Best of all, my husband had done all the shoveling and tidied the mudroom.

Bluebird sky returned as my kids headed reluctantly back to school.

Scout led the way into the woods, wagging her tail. I'm trying to train her to run outside the tracks.

The early morning light was blue and the air was still.Snow showered down from the drooping pines randomly.

I couldn't have dreamed of a moment this beautiful so close to home.

At the cove I paused to listen to the Canada geese. Then I followed my tracks back the way I'd come.More snow is falling this morning through Friday; hopefully it won't turn to rain. I love a real winter!

29 comments:

Oh such a beautiful post. The cross-country skiing looks like so much fun, but so physically challenging! Congrats to your daughter! The view when you returned home was spectacular. We are in the midst of heavy rain and winds....the first time I think I have seen the grass all winter it seems!

Oh my gosh. Stunning. Absolutely beautiful photos. I see things like this and wish (for a moment) we lived in a place with snow and had a real winter. Your photos are amazing. And that sweet little Scout- you know you get me every time with him!!

Nantucket Daff, I’m better at downhill than cross-country skiing, but the latter is easier to pick up as a beginner. Cross-country is more strenuous so I only go for an hour or two. Our snow is mixing a bit with rain and it’s a big 3 day storm. I bet it’s the same one as yours.

Pamela, the magic didn't last. The snow had melted off the trees by the end of the day. I got up early to capture it.

This is a lovely and beautiful post Sarah like always I enjoyed your pictures are amazing!:)I love snow and winter; here we almost dont have snow in winter but in others parts yes.Sarah maybe at night I make a new post wuth pictures of the south of Chile where We were the last days:)

Beautiful winter impressions, Sarah! You definitely seem to have much more snow in your part of planet Earth compared to our random "flakes alert" every now and then here in the lowlands of the northern part of southern Germany.

OMG what a perfect sight you were blessed with...I'm almost drooling here! As a former Mainer, I miss it! Spring in Feb., while 'nice', just doesn't cut it in my mind...and I am still keeping my fingers crossed for a March blizzard here in VA. One can always have hope, right?! Just beautiful...I'm feeling jealous right now :)

How proud you must be of your daughter! Congratulations to her. I felt as though I was standing there with you in the envelope of quiet that snow brings. It is truly breathtaking. I treasure those moments when we travel. Glad you're getting to enjoy your winter season.

I can't believe how much snow Maine has been getting! It's so beautiful and it's great that you're able to get out and enjoy it. I've always wanted to try cross-country skiing. It sounds like a great workout, especially when it's in Narnia-like surroundings!Congratulations to your daughter on being named captain of the team!

Wonderful Sarah. It all looks like a magical world and to be xcountry with your daughter...! I miss that sport. My innate caution to protect my artificial knee meant I had to give it up. Oh well. Vicariously seeing those trails is still nice.

Sarah, I do love real winter too! Your photos are wonderful. You know, you are such a lucky mum. Your son takes you on wilderness expeditions and your daughter coaches you on skis, I'm really curious and hopeful to see what my kids have in store for me. :)

These pictures are stunning. Much as I'm doing crazyexciting things on my side of the globe, one thing that I haven't been able to experience in years is a good, long, beautiful snow. It really is like Narnia! You are lucky to live in such a place.

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About Me

I'm an artist and a book junkie. I grew up in NYC and now live in Maine with my British husband. We have 2 kids and a dog called Scout. I write young adult fiction & review books for adults & teens. My literary agent is Eric Myers.